House approves $460 billion Pentagon budget

Early Sunday morning, the House overwhelmingly approved a $459.6 billion version of the defense budget that includes $116 million to upgrade barracks, improve child-care facilities, and enhance community services at Fort Benning.

"In the next few years, Fort Benning will experience a dramatic increase in the number of troops stationed there, and the funds for the base in this bill will help upgrade facilities in anticipation of meeting their needs," U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany) said in a press release.

In addition to the money to be allotted Fort Benning, the new National Infantry Museum, currently under construction off South Lumpkin Road in Columbus, would receive $7.5 million.

The money earmarked for Fort Benning is part of a $1.2 billion provision within the bill to address the impact of rebasing activities as large numbers of service members are re-stationed to the continental United States from soon-to-close overseas installations in Germany and elsewhere.

Approved early Sunday on a 395-13 vote, the bill must be reconciled with the Senate version and considered by a Conference Committee before being sent to the President.

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